Breakthrough in snooker for Shrikrishna

“I’m happy to have won the six (TN) State titles including the senior for the third consecutive year. After two years of losing in quarterfinals in the 6 Red State Ranking, this year I made it to semifinals. While I am not quite pleased about it, at least I’m happy to have progressed in the positive direction,” said Shrikrishna. 

“Winning the Junior U-21 Snooker National title was very important for me this year since I have been losing in the pre-quarterfinals in the last two years.”

However, Shrikrishna’s performance in the National 6 Red Championship in Chennai in December was abysmal. “I started off well in the qualifying round making a 69 table clearance. In the main draw, I made a 66 table clearance against Girish and subsequently I was completely blanked out. Even with Pankaj (Advani), I had openings but never capitalized on them. Missing out on 6 Red Nationals was sad. I need to recoup and gather myself. It is a format which is of my nature,” Shrikrishna said. 

Shrikrishna has his XII CBSE board exam which was very important. He had to submit projects and prepare for viva. The dates are still not known. A few others have taken a break from studies or from the game. He is trying to balance both and it puts a lot of pressure. “With the main Nationals starting on January 8 at Bengaluru for men’s billiards and snooker, I’m contemplating as to how to manage the board practicals/viva and the tournament. If they do not overlap, I can manage,” he said. 

“The selection camp for the U-18 and U-21 may also happen any time. And the Asian U-21 Snooker Championship is in March when I may also have my board exams. I hate missing out on international tournaments and it surely is occupying my mental bandwidth. I am still working on reconciling to this fact,” the Tamil Nadu champion reasoned. For Shrikrishna, 2018 is the last year in the U-18 category. So it was very important for him to defend his U-18 titles at the National level. However, he is not happy that he lost quite a few matches in international snooker. “I am working on the factors to get my focus on these events,” Shrikrishna signed off.